Koller injury very serious, says Czech coach

Czech Republic coach Karel Brueckner said that his team's 3-0 win over the United States in the opening game of their FIFA World Cup Group E was marred by Jan Koller's injury.

كتب : Mohamed Sabe

الإثنين، 12 يونيو 2006 - 23:39
Czech Republic striker Jan Koller
Czech Republic coach Karel Brueckner said that his team's 3-0 win over the United States in the opening game of their FIFA World Cup Group E was marred by Jan Koller's injury.

"Unfortunately his injury is very serious," Brueckner told the press after Monday's game. "It is the only negative thing from today's match."

Koller scored the Czech team's opener before being stretched off the field while Tomas Rosicky added a brace to seal the win.

"He (Koller) was in good shape and this is really bad luck," Brueckner added.

Brueckner dished out praise for his players and thanked them for their performance.

"I am very proud of my team which was very disciplined in attack and in defence and they played well in temperatures which were not ideal," the veteran tactician said.

Brueckner's opposite number Bruce Arena blasted his players for the mistakes they did during the game.

"I am very disappointed by the performance of our players over 90 minutes," Arena said.

"We certainly had a very poor start to the game -- to go down a goal after five minutes to a team like the Czech Republic," he added.

Arena, however, did admit the Czechs were the better side in the match.

"The better team won today," Arena said. "Give them credit. They punished us for every mistake we made."